Familial Tendency and Dietary Association of Goitre in Gamo-Gofa, Ethiopia

Abstract

To assess the familial tendency and dietary association of goitre. Design: Cross-sectional study with descriptive and analytical components. Setting: Goma-Gofa, south Ethiopia. Subjects: Five hundred and ninety seven elementary school children aged 6-18 years and their biological parents. Results: Prevalence of goitre was found to be 51.7% of which 21.7% was visible goitre. The mean urinary iodine extraction levels indicated adequate dietary intake of iodine by the study group. A significant association (p<O.OOI)was established for familial tendency of goitre between parents and their children. Consumption of halleko (Moringa stenopetala), a leafy vegetable common in the study area, of more than two times per day was significantly (p<O.OO5)associated with causation of goitre. Conclusion: These results strongly suggest that goitre prevalence in Gamo-Gofa, Ethiopia is due to familial tendency as well as dietary factors.